Morning journal and courier., 1887-05-04
HAPPILY CELEBRATED.

A Joyous Occasion at the Residence of
 MT. B. Shon1nger Last Evening-Over
 Two Hundred of the Shop Hands
 Surprise Ex.AIderman Shonfnger On
 The Eve of His Sailing for n Trip in
 The Old World.
 Last evening at nine o'clock strains of ex- cellent music were heard on Chapel street, near Olive, and crowds of people repaired to the scene and found the handsome residence of MT. B. Shoninger abIaze with light and Landrigan's red-coated brass band discours- ing the music from a position on the front lawn, while inside the yard also were gath cred about 200 of the men employed at the Shoninger manufactory. After the band had played two selections very finely Superin-
 tendent Loomis of the manufactory came out and in behalf of the family invited the shop
 hands and band inside to partake of gener-
 ous supply of refreshments which had been
 provided for the joyous occasion. The affair
 was concocted by the men in the employ of the Shoninger Piano and Organ company as surprise to ex-Alderman s. B. Shoninger, eldest son of Mir. B. Shoninger and member of the firm, who with his family sails in the Aller to-day for an extended trip in Europe. After partaking of the refreshments so abundantly provided and after words of welcome from ex-Alderman Shoninger to whom the affair was a perfect surprise, l more music by the band followed and an il- lumination of the garden and conservator1es with red fire, after which complimentary re- marks were made by MT. Save, drum major Of the Second regiment band, and by Nr. Busse, foreman of the varnish department, congratulatory to Mir. Shoninger snd wish ing him and family bon voyage and safe return. Ex-Alderman Shoninger replied, ex- pressing his sincere and heartfelt thanks for the compliment given him, and especially for it's evidence of the good will and kindly feelings existing between the firm and it's employees, state of good feeling which it would ever be his desire to cherish and pro- mote. The remarks were warmly applaud ed. Following MT. B. Shoninger was loud ly called for and in response said it afforded him great and unmixed pleasure to see written upon the faces before him the evidences of good will and kindly feeling. It was joy to him that such relations existed and it would ever be his aim as long as his health and strength permitted to provide
 work for all hands in season and out of sea son, prompt weekly payments as invariably
 hitherto, and to cultivate and cement the bonds of friendship prevailing. MT. Shon- inger's remarks were warmly greeted, after which MT. M. Sonnenberg, of B. Shoninger
 & Co. on Chapel street, proposed the health
 of the ladies of the family present, which was
 enthusiastically responded to supplemented
 by three rousing cheers for the host and host
 ess. After more music the workmen
 marched in procession, headed by there dispersed, all much pleased with the evenings performance. There has never
 been 8 strike at the Shoninger manufactoIy
 where over three hundred hands are em
 ployed, most of whom, excepting those living
 out of town and the young lady employees,
 were present last evening. A large part of
 the employees have worked for the concern
 for years, while not few have worked there for over twenty five years. They are all old skilled workmen and many were formerly among the best men from noted New York piano factories, who find here the wages are equal if not better, while the cost of living is cheaper than in New York city. Also the firm pays the best wages and seeks carefully to promote the well being and interests of their employees. The happy occasion last evening is another pleasant chapter in the history of the establishment and pleasing incident in these days of strikes and lator troubles,